Jerry Witte

Jerome Charles Witte

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 190 lb.
• Debut September 10, 1946
• Final Game July 13, 1947
• Born July 30, 1915 in St. Louis, MO USA
• Died April 27, 2002 in Houston, TX USA

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Biographical Information

First baseman Jerry Witte played thirteen seasons in the minors and parts of two years in the major leagues.

A native of St.Louis, Witte was signed by the St. Louis Browns and began his pro career in 1937. With the Lafayette White Sox in 1939, he led the Evangeline League with a .354 average, 184 hits, 55 doubles, and 134 RBIs and was the circuit's Most Valuable Player. The next summer, he was with the Youngstown Browns and hit .321 with 23 homers, while leading the Middle Atlantic League with 124 runs batted in. The following year, he played for the San Antonio Missions and hit 21 home runs and drove in 89 runs. After playing for San Antonio again in 1942, he enlisted in the Army Air Corp during World War II.

Witte returned to baseball in 1946 with the Toledo Mud Hens and hit .312 with 46 home runs and 120 RBIs en route to being named the American Association MVP. Despite hitting just .192 in an game trial with the St. Louis Browns that September, expectations were high for him entering the 1947 campaign. He was the club's Opening Day first baseman but soon lost the job and was back in the minors by July after hitting only .141 with 2 homers.

Witte moved on to the Dallas Eagles of the Texas League in 1949 and hit 50 home runs for the team that summer. He clubbed 38 homers with the Houston Buffaloes in 1951 as his club captured the Texas League crown. He ended his career after the 1952 season. Overall, he hit 308 home runs during his minor league career.

After baseball, Witte ran a landscaping business. He died at age 86 in 2002 following a long illness.